The Pilates set of principles – corrective exercises and specialist equipment – combine to work the entire body, co-ordinating the upper and lower musculature with the body's centre core; a key technique in modern fitness methods.
This complete regime, when performed regularly, positively changes the body, leaving you feeling more relaxed, invigorated and taller with a new sense of well-being. As Pilates himself commented, "It is the mind itself that builds the body."

The promotion of a healthy self-image does seem to make us more aware of our bodies as a whole. By tuning mind with body through Pilates, with emphasis on proper breathing, correct spinal alignment, core stability and the smooth flow of movement, you can become acutely aware of how your body feels, where it is in space and how to control its movement.

In addition to its core stability benefits, Pilates elongates the muscles, developing elasticity and avoiding the excess bulk that conventional exercise tends to build. This is perhaps why it appeals so much to women and particularly pregnant women. Regular Pilates can improve musculature balance and makes its devotees more flexible and therefore less prone to injury. Once grasped, the Pilates Method aims to give a lifetime of benefits; from confidence and well-being, to suppleness, strength and tone for gyms users of all shapes and ages. To quote Joseph Pilates again, "If your spine is inflexibly stiff at 30, you are old; if it is completely flexible at 60, you are young."

Name: Peter Davies

Organisation: David Lloyd Leisure

Position: A1 Assessor and Internal Verifier

For how many years have you been in the fitness industry? 6

What was your career progression?

I was a detective with Hampshire Police for 30 years. I retired in 2002 and went straight to David Lloyd having had a day off!

What does your job entail?

A good proportion of my time is taken up with conducting practical assessments of Personal Trainers and Fitness Coaches. I then divide the rest of my time within the industry with Personal Training, my clients and taking Group Exercise Training. I have also found myself frequently giving voluntary fitness advice to help members achieve their goals. Like almost everyone connected with the industry a lot of my time is taken up with my passion and commitment to the job which creates many non financial rewards.

What do you most enjoy about your job?

Seeing my clients benefit from the training that I provide to them and knowing that for them it has all been worthwhile and above all enjoyable, not forgetting value for money. When Assessing I enjoy giving the Personal Trainers and Fitness coaches the benefit of my experience in dealing with people from all walks of life.

Approximately how many clients do you have? Over 20

How do you keep your clients coming back for more?

I occasionally read magazines, books and articles on the internet. However, I am always receptive to new ideas and other experts' opinions by sharing views and ideas. I believe the analogy of 2 heads are better than 1 and that getting involved in discussion in the best way forward.

What Escape equipment do you use?

Free weight & attachments, Benches, Performance Equipment, Balance Equipment, Matting, Studio Equipment

How do you use Escape equipment in your business?

I frequently use Escape equipment with my Personal Training clients, depending on whether I am doing stability, strength or power work with them.

In my classes I tend to use free weights and balance equipment, again depending on the type of class and the ability of the participants.

What do you think the secret of your success is?

Showing clients that having retired from one successful career, that starting another career in a completely different aspect of life is a challenge not to be afraid of and with a fair amount of effort and hard work success can be achieved.

Within the fitness industry what is the big thing for 2008?

A big question. Rather than looking at what is going to be big for 2008, I would prefer to look at how our industry is going to improve in 2008. There is the need to continue to invest in more nationally recognised qualifications. We must further develop and improve the reputation of our industry by continuing to enhance the skills and knowledge of the trainers and coaches with rigorous internally and externally assessed qualifications that will only go to gain more confidence and respect by the public for the industry. It seems to me that the public in general do not recognise the professionalism that I more often than not see being displayed by our Personal Trainers and Fitness Coaches.

What is the most important lesson you have learned in your job?

Never to be afraid to go back to basics. You will always learn something else that will enhance your knowledge even more.

If you had to give a gym owner one piece of advice, what would it be?

Develop your own personality and never be afraid to show it. In this industry you need to be a people’s person and you will always attract a certain type of person through your personality. You can help people gain various qualifications; however, you can also help them to develop as a person.

Do you have any additional comments on you would like to share?

Yes. To be involved as successful as I have been and been given the opportunity to do so as a second career, with thanks to many people within the fitness industry. My hobby is now my work and I have enjoyed every moment of it.

The Wentworth Club chose Escape as their supplier of functional training equipment, providing the facility’s 1600 members with a comprehensive range of the latest equipment and accessories.

Escape has supplied the Wentworth Club with a selection of resistance equipment for the gym which features barbells, dumbbells, benches, gym balls, medicine balls, foam rollers, pulley attachments and training bars together with all the appropriate storage.

Gideon Coe, Fitness Manager at the Wentworth Club, says: “Escape’s products are arguably the best on the market. They recently supplied our new studio weights and racks, which have proven to be extremely popular and durable.”

“Our goal with the gym was to provide everything our discerning members could want without losing the sense of openness and style that makes the gym so inviting. As such the Escape product with its wonderful ‘family look’ aesthetically complements the colours and style of the rest of the gym. “We’re extremely happy with our new products,” added Gideon.

The Wentworth Club has 14 outdoor courts of four different surfaces, indoor and outdoor heated swimming pools, a fully equipped gym, a fitness and dance studio, a Crèche and a Spa offering a wide range of health, beauty and sports treatments. This is all set in the beautiful surroundings of the Wentworth Estate with its world renowned championship golf facilities.

Jeremy Navrady, Sales and Marketing Manager at Escape, says: “We are really pleased to be associated with such a prestigious health club as Wentworth. With many members playing golf as well as visiting the health and fitness club, it is important for us to understand the benefits that fitness training can bring to the sport. The health and fitness facilities are exceptional and we are thrilled that Escape was chosen to supply their resistance equipment in the gym and fitness studios.”

Welcome to my first column in my new role as sales and marketing coordinator for Escape Fitness. It's good to know that as I settle down to life in a new country I will be keeping in touch with my former colleagues and associates through this regular missive. More than that, I hope it will stimulate ideas that will benefit all of us in the health and fitness industry.

As a working woman aged between 24 and 54 I am part of the powerful growing force that is changing the way that companies design, make and market their products. While they generally still earn less than their male counterparts, women buy or influence a staggering 80 per cent of all consumer goods. They tend to make more informed choices then men, undertaking research before making a purchase and once they connect with a product or service, women are more loyal. Add them all together and these factors make a powerful case for getting in touch with real women and attracting them to our facilities. But are we doing actually doing it?

It's alarming that so many women today are still afraid of joining a health club. Why do they still feel they have to lose weight before they can become members of our facilities? Perhaps it's because so much of the marketing for health clubs show gorgeous young women working out in bra tops and tight fitting jogging bottoms. The thought that you might find yourself wheezing away on a treadmill next to one of these babes is enough to fill most women with horror and will almost certainly deter some from joining. Why not invite your female members to take part in your advertising instead?

When it comes to the facility itself, there's much you can do to ensure it appeals to the fairer sex. Many women feel intimated when using a gym for the first time and are worried about embarrassing themselves, so creating an area where they can familiarise themselves with the equipment in privacy will help ease them into the club.

And why do so many of strength training areas look like they could be a set of a sci-fi movie? That look may appeal to men, but it certainly won't to women. If we are to encourage women to incorporate weight training into their programmes, which as we know is vital for weight loss, we need to create less intimidating resistance areas. This is why the Escape accessories line includes dumbbells, barbells and discs in a range of colours, which can be mixed with an equally wide range of colourful gym balls and medicine balls and other accessories for a warm and welcoming resistance space.

Since women make most of the consumer decisions today it's clear we need to have them foremost in our minds in each aspect of our operations – from how we market our facilities to how we design and equip them. It doesn't demand a huge overhaul of how we do business and won't require lots of funds, just listening to women and understanding their needs. And doing so will mean a happier and more loyal customer base.

In terms of product potential the Powerbag enjoys the enviable position of being able to stand alone as a product and complement the existing Reebok Professional platforms of Reebok Step, Deck and Core Board.

With the first quarter of 2008 almost over, what can health and fitness trends expect for the rest of the year? Well, according to the American Council on Exercise (ACE), 2008 promises to be filled with more alternative workouts as consumers look to combine fun and social activities with physical health. So, how can operators take advantage of these trends?

The ACE’s annual survey of personal trainers, group fitness experts, lifestyle and weight management consultants working in the industry worldwide, found that the popularity of television programmes like Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing on Ice have resulted in increasing demand for dance classes that combine high energy, motivating music with unique moves and combinations. Have you scheduled anything like this on your studio timetable?

Outdoor boot camps are also gaining in popularity, as are boxing classes and workouts, which are continuing to attract people of all ages and from all walks of life. Set aside a space in your facility, add some free-standing punch bags, skipping ropes and some gloves, and you are bang up to date with the latest trend. Why not offer some free taster sessions to get the ball rolling?

More and more members are taking part in charity events such as marathons and triathlons and many start training up to a year in advance. They need help with this and where better to get expert advice, but their local health and fitness club? If you haven’t done so already, add some sports-specific programming to your mix to help members to build the strength, endurance and stamina needed to take part in these events as well as everyday activities.

The trend for functional training is set to continue as members recognize that functional strength is necessary whether they are walking, hiking or lifting or simply performing everyday tasks. Make sure your facility therefore has the kit in place to facilitate this form of training with free weights, medicine balls, BOSUs, core boards, and even the Escape Fitness Reaction Trainer. Develop some functional training classes to your timetable too to ensure members learn correct technique.

A staggering 93 per cent of ACE fitness professionals surveyed believe that personal training will be more accessible this year. We know that the advice and motivation from skilled and experienced personal trainers can encourage members to stay for longer at our facilities, but some clients are still deterred by cost. Have you thought about offering shared or small group personal training, where members can reap the benefits of expert advice at an even more affordable price?

Most of our members are time-poor and to reflect this, express workouts, particularly those that focus on one area of fitness or a specific body part, are set to grow in popularity. With a range of accessories including free weights, the Reebok Deck, Power Bag and resistance tubes you are equipped to offer express classes lasting 30 minutes or less targeting core stability, upper body strength, back care, balance and agility, to name just a few.

Members are looking for fun and recreational activities that almost hide the fact that they are taking part in exercise. With a little imagination and planning, operators can easily provide fun exercise options and environments in their facilities to take advantage of these trends.

Matthew Januszek, Sales Director, Escape Fitness Limited

"The Escape Reaction Trainer has been a success with our trainers and customers alike from the moment that we introduced it into the club. We use it to improve the dexterity of children and for adults as part of their boxing training classes. It has already helped to improve our customer retention and PT revenue figures as it gives clients a new dimension in training."

jarrod Lupsom – general manager next generation hatfield

Sprint Track

"The Sprint Track has given the club a really unique feature. Our PT's are using it to give clients a varied workout by integrating it into their programmes. We use it for speed and agility work that is a refreshing change that cannot be achieved anywhere else in the club."Jarrod Lupsom – General Manager Next Generation Hatfield

Clare Strange – British Wheelchair Basketball Paralympian. Sydney and Athens Paralympics.